Day 1: Los Angeles/San Jose

Hotel Grano d'Oro

Depart Los Angeles International Airport on your day flight to Costa Rica. On arrival at San Jose Juan Santamaria International Airport you are welcomed and driven to your hotel for a two-night stay. The remainder of the day is at leisure to relax and become acclimatized to your new surroundings. Temperatures in San Jose can be cool, especially at night and early morning, due to the altitude -- 3,760 feet. The charming Hotel Grano d'Oro is located near city center within easy walking distance of a number of excellent restaurants. Courtyards with fountains, tropical flowers and individually decorated rooms give the hotel its unique style and ambiance.

Day 2: San Jose

Hotel Grano d'Oro

After breakfast, you are met at your hotel for a full day city tour. Travel through Costa Rica's history while touring the beautiful capital city. San Jose is not only the capital and largest city in Costa Rica, it is also the commercial, industrial and artistic heart of the country. It is a vibrant and cosmopolitan city. Predominantly of European origin, the people of Costa Rica are energetic and happy people with a deep sense of democratic tradition. Like the Paris Opera House, the classic National Theater, completed in 1897, is breathtaking. Your city tour also includes the Archaeological Museum located in the old Fort of Bella Vista. Here you find one of the finest displays of pre-Columbian art in the world. The University of Costa Rica and the Supreme Court building, and along your path the beautiful, elegant, residential homes, demonstrate fine examples of the distinctive Costa Rican architecture. There is also time to shop for some of Costa Rica's handicrafts and of course to further explores on your own. (B)

Day 3: San Jose/Tortuguero National Park

Pachira Lodge

You are met in the hotel lobby at approximately 6:00 am (Note: You will be advised on the exact pick-up time at your hotel for your departure this morning) and then depart for Tortuguero National Park. Transportation to Tortuguero is provided by a large vehicle (bus) that is owned by the lodge so it is likely that stops will be made at several hotels along the way to pick up other guests headed for Tortuguero. Once everyone is on board, your exciting adventure begins!
 
Drive out of the city to Braulio Carrillo National Park, your first glimpse of a cloud forest. Then descend onto the coastal plains on the eastern side of the country. A delicious Costa Rican breakfast is served en route. Drive through the banana plantations, where time permitting, you may stop at a banana processing and packaging plant to learn more about one of Costa Rica's prime products. Continue to the river where you board the comfortable boat and then let this extraordinarily exotic paradise enchant you as you travel along the Tortuguero Canals, surrounded by a great variety of flora and fauna. Here multi-colored birds call from the canopy, monkeys cavort among the vines, and sloths hang, almost unnoticed. This is one of the best areas for viewing mammals, birds and caiman in Costa Rica. Arrive at Pachira Lodge in time for lunch.
 
Tortuguero National Park protects a unique series of national inland waterways that are home to freshwater turtles (June/July are the best months for turtle egg laying), crocodiles, sloths, and a variety of monkeys, toucan, parrots, butterflies and many other species. In addition, it is known as one of the world's richest fishing grounds for tarpon and snook. It is also the largest nesting area in the Caribbean for the green sea turtle.
 
After lunch, perhaps visit the museum, the beach area and the small and picturesque fishing village of Tortuguero where like goes on at an unhurried pace. Return to the lodge for dinner and a relaxing evening.
 
Panchira is a unique lodge located just adjacent to Tortuguero National Park. It features walkways and paths into the jungle surrounding the lodge, comfortable rooms with private bathrooms, hot water, and ceiling fans along with some of the finest guides in the entire park. During your stay here, morning and afternoon activities are included with several optional tours also available. (BLD)

Day 4: Tortuguero National Park

Pachira Lodge

Enjoy a breakfast at the lodge and then get ready to hike Tortuguero Hill or travel along the well-known Tortuguero Canals and have the experience of your life in this unique paradise of magnificent flora and fauna. This afternoon take your time to enjoy the private trails and perhaps continue your walk along the finest trails through the National Park to the beach where thousands of sea turtles come ashore each year to lay their eggs. Or ride a boat through the canals just to relax! Be prepared for heat and rain at Tortuguero, which is, of course, why this is a rain forest. (Note: Pachira Lodge does provide large rain ponchos for their guests and knee-high rubber boots for those who wish to use them.) (BLD)

Day 5: Tortuguero/Monteverde Cloud Forest

Fonda Vela Lodge

Up early this morning for SANSA's 7:00 am scheduled flight to San Jose, a 35-minute scenic flight over the eastern mountains. On arrival in San Jose, you are met at the airport by your guide and driven directly to the Monteverde Cloud Forest for a two-night stay. Monteverde Could Forest Reserve is the richest and most complex tropical cloud forest in the New World, and one of the most visited areas in Costa Rica. There are close to 400 bird species here, including the three-wattled Bell Bird, not easily seen but frequently heard, and the magnificent Resplendent Quetzal, said to be the most beautiful bird in the Americas. The golden toad, found nowhere else, also makes Monteverde home. What you see most here is a misty forest with dense vegetation and majestic trees covered by luxuriant epiphytic growth (mosses, ferns, liverworts, bromeliads, orchids, etc.) turning each tree into a garden itself. You find many wild relatives of familiar tropical houseplants including philodendrons, ficus trees, bromeliads and ferns. Orchids abound with over 300 species to be found here. Many are tiny and inconspicuous while others thrive among the lush vegetation of the canopy 125 feet above the forest floor. This diversity of flora and fauna throughout the eight distinct ecological communities at Monteverde makes it a paradise for the nature lover. The reserve encompasses approximately 10,200 hectares and one can enjoy an extremely rich variety of species with leisurely walks on well-maintained trails. The Monteverde Cloud Forest is one of the most beautiful forests in Costa Rica and is a naturalist's dream come true!
 
The Hotel Fonda Vela is dedicated to the idea of eco-tourism in harmony with the earth. The Latin root "Fonda" means a place of rest or nourishment after a long journey. "Vela" or candle represents service and good faith. To this add a peaceful atmosphere that is sensitive to the local environment. On the 35-acre property at Fonda Vela you find lush forests and verdant pastures excellent for birding and hiking. In this tranquil setting, you may see flocks of parrots coming to feed in the fruit trees while horses graze peacefully below. Accommodations at Fonda Vela are contained in seven separate buildings scattered about the lushly landscaped property. They are designed with natural lighting, privacy and warmth in mind. There are large windows with views of the forested reserve allowing the beauty outside to be part of the cozy interiors. Throughout Fonda Vela you find the paintings of Paul Smith, the owner's father and original settler of the property. These, and works by other Monteverde artists display many interpretations of the mysterious cloud forest with its veils of mist -- encouraging the mind to meditate the meaning of peaceful living with our planet. (Note: It can get cold in the mountains at night, so we recommend you bring along a warm jacket. Breakfast is included at Fonda Vela daily; other meals are under your own arrangements.) (B)

Day 6: Monteverde Cloud Forest

Fonda Vela Lodge

This morning enjoy a tour of the Monteverde Cloud Forest. You have the choice of an easy or more challenging path as you learn about the ecology of a cloud forest. A group of Quakers mostly from the United States founded the colony of Monteverde over 40 years ago, choosing Costa Rica for its peace and tolerance. Today people raise daily cattle and goats on the steep slopes above the village of Santa Elena. Their cooperative makes wonderful cheese and this afternoon visit the factory and purchase wonderful cheddar, jack Gouda and other cheesesŠ they make a delightful picnic lunch, or take some back to your hotel for a late night snack. Other sightseeing options today can include bird watching, horseback riding, a visit to the butterfly Garden or stroll through the village of Santa Elena. (B)

Day 7: Monteverde/Chachagua Rain Forest

Chachagua Rain Forest Lodge

Depart the Cloud Forest and drive to the Chachagua Rain Forest, located adjacent to the Children's Rain Forest of Monteverde. Chachagua, a privately owned and maintained rain forest, is the dream come true for Costa Rican owner, Carlos Salazar. It is part of a large protected area and helps provide habitat for many of the threatened inhabitants of the rain forest such as tapir, jaguar, ocelot and peccaries. The Chachagua Rain Forest Lodge is more than just another nature lodge. Certainly the plants and animals that can be encountered along the forest trails will thrill even the most ardent nature lover, but there is much more to discover and see here. Part of the property is still maintained as a working ranch and visitors to Chachagua are able to see a variety of fruits and vegetables such as pineapple, papaya, manioc, squashes and black beans growing right on the farm. Beef, poultry, eggs, milk and cheese are all also produced on the ranch. Who knows, you might even pick part of your own breakfast!
 
Cattle and horses are an integral part of the ranch as well. The restaurant has been designed overlooking a riding ring so that guests can enjoy their morning coffee while admiring expert horsemen putting the local mounts through their paces. And of course, horses are available for guests who wish to view the scenic surroundings from the vantage point of a saddle.
 
Accommodations at Chachagua are provided in individual bungalows each with a private bathroom, ceiling fan and porch area for relaxed nature viewing. They are set on the mountainside adjacent to a bubbling stream, which provides water for the small swimming "hole". Meals at Chachagua are served in the open-air dining room or bar, and the atmosphere here is very relaxed and casual. (BD)

Day 8: Chachagua Rain Forest

Chachagua Rain Forest Lodge

A full day to enjoy the area. Your guide will arrange the day to suit your interests and energy level. Perhaps take a guided hike in the private reserve. Walking along the forest path keep an eye out for some of the more common residents of Chachagua including white-faced monkeys, keep-billed toucans, blue morpho butterflies, bright red poison dart frogs and much more! Visit Tabacon Hot Springs and the Arenal Volcano, currently one of the most active volcanoes in the world. While the Arenal Volcano looms imposingly on the horizon, enjoy nature's natural hot tubs. If visiting after dark and if conditions warrant, one can watch the ever-advancing lava flows glowing a burning red as they flow down the mountain. And if you are privileged to watch an eruption, the glowing molten rock is ejected hundreds of feet into the air, and then tumbles down the slopes in a truly unforgettable spectacle. (BD)

Days 9-11: Chachagua/North Pacific Coast - Tamarindo

Hotel Capitan Suizo

Enjoy three full days at leisure. The Capitan Suizo is the ideal place to spend a relaxing and exciting time on Costa Rica's Pacific Coast. For relaxing there is the refreshing swimming pool, the deep blue ocean or the lush gardens of the hotel groundsŠAnd for excitementŠ horseback riding, surfing, fishing, boating trips and excursions into nearby national parks and wildlife reserved are available. In addition, there is a Snorkeling and Scuba Diving Center at your hotel. If you wish, the hotel can arrange a car rental or a private guide and vehicle so that you can venture further afield. End your day with a cool tropical drink as you watch the spectacular sunset from the ocean view terrace. (B)

Day 12: Tamarindo/San Jose

Hotel Grano d'Oro

Today you are transferred to the airport to board SANSA's scheduled flight back to San Jose. On arrival in San Jose you are met at the airport and driven to your hotel. The remainder of the day is at your leisure. (B)

Day 13: Depart San Jose/Los Angeles

En Route

Today are met in the lobby and returned to San Jose Juan Santamaria International Airport to check-in for your international flight home to Los Angeles. (B)

INCLUDED IN YOUR PROGRAM

• Accommodations as detailed in itinerary above including buffet breakfast daily.
• Meals as indicated above by (B), (B,L), (B,L,D); B-Breakfast, L-Lunch, D-Dinner.
• Sightseeing as detailed in itinerary with private local guides including all entrance fees.
• All required transfers in private vehicles.
• Domestic flights in Costa Rica as required by the itinerary.
• Meet & greet services at all airports for arrivals and departures.
• Meals as indicated by B=Breakfast, L=Lunch, D=Dinner.
• All park fees and government taxes.

SORRY, NOT INCLUDED IN YOUR PROGRAM

• Cost of visas (not required for Costa Rica) or departure taxes as required.
• Items of a personal nature such as laundry, telephone calls, both alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks, incidental expenses at hotel, etc.
• Gratuities for luggage handling.
• Gratuities for guides and drivers. These are at the clients' discretion.